She puts the UMP in PLUMP (#8)

When I checked our email account for this blog, I was actually surprised to see a message that wasn't junk mail. It was a REAL EMAIL from a REAL HUMAN BEING! Usually we don't get emails from our readers (though we'd really be MEGA HAPPY if you'd send us emails regarding ANYTHING you want to say), so this was a first and it made me excited to read it. :D

Here's the email which was sent almost a week ago:

Yesterday was my first time to come across your blog. I super love it! I especially love the part of your blog where you show fashionable plumps from all over the world. =) It's very inspiring. Oh! How rude am I that I forgot to introduce myself. Tsk! My name is Jojobabe Mae Rudillas, I am 22 years old, a registered nurse. I am from Cebu but I am currently working here in Shanghai. As far as I could remember, I was skinny for the first 5 years of my life (only). Basically, I was fat my whole life! I must admit that I hated myself for being fat. I used to be really insecure because when I was young, I couldn't join in the dance club of our school. During school presentations, I would not be picked every time I would audition because I was fat and (according to the judges) I would not look good on cute little skirts and sleeveless tops. Being an emotional eater, I would eat to comfort myself, thus the very rapid weight gain.
Fortunately, my family was very supportive of me. They know how I love to dance so they sent me to dance schools and any other art school there is. Finally, years of attending confidence-building seminars paid off. I was able to truly embrace being fat. I was very confident of my body that no matter what my friends would say, I would not be turned down by their BABOY-ish comments about me. It was during that period of my life that I can say I bloomed and people started noticing what I could do instead of what I can't because I'm fat. I even became the president of our high school dance club! AND I was part of almost every presentation in our school--may it be singing, dancing, essay writing and acting activities.
That continued until college. Sometimes, I still feel insecure especially when I see my pretty, skinny, and taken friends. Sometimes, I feel like the reason why I am still single is because of my body. But what the hell? Why would I want to be with a man who's not willing to accept how huggable and shapely my body is?
Thanks for taking time to read this you two. =) I love your style by the way. I hope I could be featured as your Plump Pinay of the week.

First of all, I cannot help but feel connected to Jojobabe's story. I remember how I would be turned down whenever I auditioned to be in the cheer leading competition because I was "fat", way back in high school. To make me feel better, they'd put me in the PEP squad. It made me feel like my body was a burden, a hindrance to my passion. Thank God I instantly came to senses, realizing that we should not let ourselves be put in a box by someone else, just because we don't fit the mold they dictate. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR DREAMS, BE WHOEVER WE WANT TO BE, EXCEL AND SHINE, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL WE ARE. We all have the right to be excellent and marvelous. PERIOD. I'm so glad to know that someone out there is not letting her body stop her from being awesome. If only more women today knew how to work with their bodies, the world would be full of confident, secure, and bright ladies.


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What is your size? US size 14-16

Who is your style icon?

My style icon is Victoria Beckham because she is classy. I also look up to Katy Perry because of her vintage look and because she doesn't care about what other people think of her outfit. Locally, I like Ann Curtis because her style is playful and chic.


Favorite Store? I love Zara and H&M because they have my size! I am also a huge fan of ukay-ukay (thrift shops)! They have everything--grandma tops, cadet cardigans and vintage items.

Favorite outfit to wear? I am a fan of colorful dresses. It brightens up everything. I also love anything vintage -- big buttons, puffy sleeves and all. I love pretty cardigans and lacy tops.

How do you want people to see your style?

I want people to see my style as something very flattering and not too daring. I want them to see it as something they can take inspiration from.

Where do you get your confidence from?

I get mine from confidence-boosting blogs like this one. Sometimes, when I'm a little low [on confidence], I just look at the pages of my scrapbooks and reminisce about all the things I have

achieved in life and all the people I have made happy.

How important are other people’s perception of you to you?

Before, it mattered a whole lot to me. It would make or break my day. I would be very emotional if I hear some side comments about how fat I am. However, I can honestly say that right now, I can easily shrug it off and let it pass. Though sometimes, I still can't help but get affected by some negative comments. After all, I am still a work in progress. As with the positive perceptions, I remember it by heart.

Message to other Plump Pinays:

Stay beautiful and sexy! Surround yourself with people who love you and accept you for who you are. They will help a lot in building your confidence. Embrace your body and acknowledge your beauty, but don't rush on achieving self-acceptance. It takes years and years of work. Don't be too hard on yourself. Never say never to anything that's labeled "FOR SKINNY GIRLS ONLY!" Long live the pretty, hot, and thick babes! =)

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Amazingly said! :) We are so happy to be a part in boosting your confidence, Jojobabe! Continue contradicting what the society dictates a dancer must look like! SHAKE THAT FINE BOOTY, GIRL!


Plump love,
Danah